Douay-Rheims Bible: Hebrews

1:1 God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,

1:2 In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.

1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high.

1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

1:5 For to which of the angels hath he said at any time, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him.

1:7 And to the angels indeed he saith: He that maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

1:8 But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

1:10 And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens.

1:11 They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment.

1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.

1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?

1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?

2:1 Therefore ought we more diligently to observe the things which we have heard, lest perhaps we should let them slip.

2:2 For if the word, spoken by angels, became steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward:

2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? which having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.

2:4 God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.

2:5 For God hath not subjected unto angels the world to come, whereof we speak.

2:6 But one in a certain place hath testified, saying: What is man, that thou art mindful of him: or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

2:7 Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels: thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands:

2:8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet. For in that he hath subjected all things to him, he left nothing not subject to him. But now we see not as yet all things subject to him.

2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour: that, through the grace of God, he might taste death for all.

2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, who had brought many children into glory, to perfect the author of their salvation, by his passion.

2:11 For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:

2:12 I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I praise thee.

2:13 And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold I and my children, whom God hath given me.

2:14 Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil:

2:15 And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude.

2:16 For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold.

2:17 Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful priest before God, that he might be a propitiation for the sins of the people.

2:18 For in that, wherein he himself hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them also that are tempted.

3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation, consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus:

3:2 Who is faithful to him that made him, as was also Moses in all his house.

3:3 For this man was counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by so much as he that hath built the house, hath greater honour than the house.

3:4 For every house is built by some man: but he that created all things, is God.

3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said:

3:6 But Christ as the Son in his own house: which house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and glory of hope unto the end.

3:7 Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith: To day if you shall hear his voice,

3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation; in the day of temptation in the desert,

4:1 Let us fear therefore lest the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should be thought to be wanting.

4:2 For unto us also it hath been declared, in like manner as unto them. But the word of hearing did not profit them, not being mixed with faith of those things they heard.

4:3 For we, who have believed, shall enter into rest; as he said: As I have sworn in my wrath; If they shall enter into my rest; and this indeed when the works from the foundation of the world were finished.

4:4 For in a certain place he spoke of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works.

4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from his.

4:11 Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall into the same example of unbelief.

4:12 For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

4:13 Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is.

4:14 Having therefore a great high priest that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession.

4:15 For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.

4:16 Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid.

5:1 For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins:

5:2 Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

5:3 And therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

5:4 Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.

5:5 So Christ also did not glorify himself, that he might be made a high priest: but he that said unto him: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

5:6 As he saith also in another place: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence.

5:8 And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered:

5:9 And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation.

5:10 Called by God a high priest according to the order of Melchisedech.

5:11 Of whom we have much to say, and hard to be intelligibly uttered: because you are become weak to hear.

5:12 For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

5:13 For every one that is a partaker of milk, is unskillful in the word of justice: for he is a little child.

5:14 But strong meat is for the perfect; for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil.

6:1 Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God,

6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

6:16 For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.

6:17 Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:

6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.

6:19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil;

6:20 Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

7:1 For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

7:2 To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation, is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:

7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.

7:4 Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.

7:5 And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham.

7:6 But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7:7 And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better.

7:8 And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth.

7:9 And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham:

7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedech met him.

7:11 If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

7:12 For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law.

7:13 For he, of whom these things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar.

7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

7:15 And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,

7:16 Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life:

7:17 For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

7:18 There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:

7:19 (For the law brought nothing to perfection,) but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.

7:20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath;

7:21 But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.)

7:23 And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

7:24 But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood,

7:25 Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.

7:26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

7:27 Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself.

7:28 For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore.

8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens,

8:2 A minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath pitched, and not man.

8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that he also should have some thing to offer.

8:4 If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest: seeing that there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,

8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he was to finish the tabernacle: See (saith he) that thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewn thee on the mount.

8:6 But now he hath obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better testament, which is established on better promises.

8:7 For if that former had been faultless, there should not indeed a place have been sought for a second.

8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith: Behold, the days shall come, saith the Lord: and I will perfect unto the house of Israel, and unto the house of Juda, a new testament:

8:9 Not according to the testament which I made to their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt: because they continued not in my testament: and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

8:10 For this is the testament which I will make to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my laws into their mind, and in their heart will I write them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:

8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the least to the greatest of them:

8:12 Because I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins I will remember no more.

8:13 Now in saying a new, he hath made the former old. And that which decayeth and groweth old, is near its end.

9:1 The former indeed had also justifications of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

9:2 For there was a tabernacle made the first, wherein were the candlesticks, and the table, and the setting forth of loaves, which is called the holy.

9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle, which is called the holy of holies:

9:4 Having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna, and the rod of Aaron, that had blossomed, and the tables of the testament.

9:5 And over it were the cherubims of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: of which it is not needful to speak now particularly.

9:6 Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices.

9:7 But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth for his own, and the people's ignorance:

9:8 The Holy Ghost signifying this, that the way into the holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing.

9:9 Which is a parable of the time present: according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which can not, as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks,

9:10 And divers washings, and justices of the flesh laid on them until the time of correction.

9:11 But Christ, being come an high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, that is, not of this creation:

9:12 Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.

9:13 For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh:

9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God?

9:15 And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by means of his death, for the redemption of those trangressions, which were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

9:16 For where there is a testament, the death of the testator must of necessity come in.

9:17 For a testament is of force, after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth.

9:19 For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

9:20 Saying: This is the blood of the testament, which God hath enjoined unto you.

9:21 The tabernacle also and all the vessels of the ministry, in like manner, he sprinkled with blood.

9:22 And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood: and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

9:23 It is necessary therefore that the patterns of heavenly things should be cleansed with these: but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

9:24 For Jesus is not entered into the holies made with hands, the patterns of the true: but into heaven itself, that he may appear now in the presence of God for us.

9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holies, every year with the blood of others:

9:26 For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world: but now once at the end of ages, he hath appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of himself.

9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment:

9:28 So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many; the second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.

10:1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things; by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect:

10:2 For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer:

10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.

10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),

10:24 And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:

10:25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

10:26 For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins,

10:27 But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries.

10:28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses:

10:29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace?

10:30 For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people.

11:3 By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made.

11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

11:5 By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God.

11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.

11:7 By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.

11:8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

11:9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.

11:10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.

11:11 By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised,

11:12 For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

11:13 All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

11:14 For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country.

11:15 And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.

11:16 But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;